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Abonnema Monarchs, Stakeholders Seek Violence-Free Polls ’Morrow
Sequel to the breach of peace and the attendant loss of several lives in Abonnema which led to the postponement of the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Abonnema Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs has resolved to call on political parties not to use the state security apparatus to intimidate, harass, kill or disrupt the peace now restored in the area during tomorrow’s elections.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its joint meeting with other stakeholders in Abonnema, the Chiefs-in-Council urged political parties or their supporters not to take any action detrimental to the community and its people, adding that they should not engage or instigate youths in the area to engage in acts of thuggery in a bid to have advantage or influence voters during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
At the meeting held in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the traditional rulers and the stakeholders maintained that all politicians in the area should put the interest of Abonnema and other communities in AKULGA first in all their political decisions and actions, pointing out that all matters relating to politics must remain with politicians and not be extended to individuals outside the system.
According to the communiqué signed by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Gbobo Disrael Bob-Manuel and 12 others, and handed to The Tide, other than officially assigned armed security agents and relevant agencies or officials of INEC, no individual or political party members should be allowed to go to the polling units during the elections with arms.
The meeting further resolved that any individual or group of persons found to cause any crisis during the polls would be held responsible and made to face the consequences while any chief caught in the act of instigating any violence in favour of any party or candidate would be seriously dealt with.
Addressing the meeting earlier, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Disrael Bob-Manuel described the February 23 elections incident as strategic and an embarrassment to the entire AKULGA communities as the incident was masterminded by non-indigenes who were hired as thugs by desperate politicians.
He assured that the people of Abonnema would fish out the masterminds of the violence with a view to bringing them to book, and if found guilty, would be ostracized while condemning the statement made by the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that Abonnema was full of militants, describing it as a lie.
Shedie Okpara
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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